"
"Margaret," continued the colonel, and now his tone became deferential as
behooved a gentleman speaking to a lady, "shall we ask him to share our
simple quarters to-night?"
The lad slowly turned his gaze to the face of the woman. He felt with
all the power of intuition that his fate rested on her decision. But she
was a woman. And she was, too, a true daughter of her father. A kindred
spark leaped up in her own soul, and she met Dick's gaze. She noted his
fearless poise, and she saw the gallant spirit in his eye. Then she
turned to her father.
"I think you wish him to stay, sir," she said, "and the wish seems right
to me. Our narrow quarters limit our hospitality in quality, but not
in intent. We can offer him nothing but the little alcove behind the
blanket."
She inclined her head toward the blanket, which Dick had not noticed
before. It hung near the bed and, wishing to cause this household little
trouble, he said:
"Then I assume that you will shelter me for the night, and, if I may,
I will go at once to my room."
Colonel Woodville lowered his head upon the pillow and laughed softly.
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